Traditionally taking place over the August Bank Holiday Weekend, Manchester Pride is one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ charities, part of a global Pride movement that helps celebrate LGBTQ+equality and challenge discrimination.
For a city so rich in LGBTQ+ history, and with it’s very own dedicated ‘Gay Village’, Manchester pulls no punches when it comes to Pride weekend – with a long list of events and specials dotted around the city and its suburbs.
2022 sees some big changes to the official Pride events, with a return to the Gay Village for their performance line-ups, and the truimphant return of the Pride Parade through the city’s streets…
The Gay Village Party
Friday 26th – Sunday 28th August
This year the Pride festival main acts will all be back in the Gay Village again after a couple of years of venturing outside of the area. It promises to, once again, be another incredible celebration of LGBTQ+ life with the likes of Mel C, Nadine Coyle, Duncan James, Bimini, Charity Shop Sue and LOADS more across the three days and three stages. There’ll also be takeovers from trans-led Trans Filth & Joy, Black Pride MCR, Fat Pride and Queer Women’s Takeover.
The Manchester Pride Parade
Saturday 27th August, 12pm
After two missing years due to COVID-19, the Pride Parade returns to the streets of the city centre again in 2022! This year the theme is ‘March for Peace’ and it promises to be a show-stopping, feel good procession to wow crowds across Manchester and send the world a big, bright, colourful message that everyone deserves to live and love in peace.
Pride at HOME 2022
Throughout August
HOME are celebrating Pride throughout August with a selection of films exploring the experiences of the lGBTQ+ community across generations. Their Young Film Programmers offer up a tartly satirical comedy about coming of age and coming out, while Queer East Film Festival brings a tender documentary portrait of emerging queer desire. Their Women Over Fifty Film Festival celebrates the lives of older queer women, while new documentary Maisie puts Britain’s oldest performing drag artiste in the spotlight.
The Untold Orchestra present ACT UP!
Friday 26th August, 7pm
The Untold Orchestra presents ACT UP! is a show devised as a collaborative project with Beau Azra and a cast of incredible Queer talent including; Cheddar Gorgeous, Shameer Rayes & Lavender Rodriguez. The show is a 40-minute musical ode to Act Up and an artistic delve into Queer Protests past and future and will be taking place at Contact Theatre.
Tough Act Pride Special at The White Hotel
Friday 26th August
Tough Act returns to The White Hotel on the Friday of Pride Weekend for SHAME: “an event not for shaming the self, but shaming what pride has become; a corp-washed weekend where we all party while cops and prison guards join the parade leading to something ‘for the whole family’ while most of us can’t start one, aren’t allowed one or just have their existence questioned. Is this party gonna change that? fuck no! but will it be a moment of catharsis with a touch of escapism? that’s the plan.”
Love is the Message at Escape to Freight Island
Thursday 25th – Monday 28th August
Freight Island will be hosting five days of Pride events, including Ghetto Fabulous & Mix-stress on Friday 26th, and on Saturday – from the makers of La Discotheque – The Little Disco. Sunday sees the Homo Hangover, and on Monday it’s time for their annual Homopicnic with Supernature, Gina Breeze Phillipa Jarman and more.
Feel Good Fest
Saturday 27th August, 12pm
Feel Good Fest is an all-day-explosion of queer joy held at Feel Good Club in the Northern Quarter. With talks, live music, flash tattoos, mixers and more. Bringing together all corners of our wonderfully varied community, Feel Good Fest is an all-ages event designed to make you feel good. The day will culminate in a Superbia-special-edition of Miss Chief cabaret fronted by 7-foot-drag-supermodel Banksie alongside some other incredible performers. And it’s all FREE!
Essential at Albert Hall
Saturday 28th August, 10pm – 5am
Often referred to as the “Gay Hacienda”, Essential was one of the biggest gay clubs in the UK winning multiple awards and raising over quarter of a million pounds for gay charities. Now, as part of the Manchester Pride Festival, Essential is BACK as their official Saturday night party with stunning sound and lights, a massive production with super hot dancers, muscle boys, confetti and CO2 cannons and over 2000 hands in the air clubbers.
Ex-Paw – Pooches of Pride Show
Saturday 20th August, 11am – 4pm
A free event taking place in Angel Meadow Park, hosted by iconic drag queen Belinda Scandal, to bring Manchester’s dog lovers together for the Pooches of Pride show. Pet parents are welcome to dress their dogs up for Pride to compete for ‘best dressed’ and other categories such as ‘pride king’, ‘pride queen’, ‘best trick’ and ‘cutest puppy’ for dogs under two. Pooches of Pride will also feature a series of educational talks from local pet experts, including talks on pet behaviour and basic dog first aid.
High Hoops Pride Weekender
Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th August
Celebrating queer love all weekend long, the High Hoops crew will be taking over the Adelphi Lads Club on Saturday from 2pm – 11pm with a courtyard party with Michelle Manetti, Kim Lana, Aiden Francis and Club Rush. Saturday night then re-locates to The White Hotel with D. Tiffany, Fafi Abdel Nour, Marjai and k.h0lle, and again on Sunday night with Eris Drew, ADAB and Bored Lord.
It’s What Do I Tell My Friends x Dandy Pride Spectacular
Saturday 27th August, 10pm – 3am
Manchester’s premium grizzly disco are joining with the sensational new queers on the block to bring you a Pride weekend party you’ll be smelling on your skin for weeks after! TWO FLOORS of sexy, sparkling, hirsute, horny, weird and wonderful dance floor faves at the iconic Retro Bar.
The Black Friar Big Gay Bottomless Brunch
Saturday 27th – Monday 29th August, 11am – 3pm
The Black Friar will be hosting a ‘Big Gay Bottomless Brunch’ this Pride weekend, featuring Chef Ben Chaplin’s one-off brunch menu made using the best local British produce. You choose a delicious brunch dish and enjoy bottomless booze for 90 minutes for just £35. The Black Friar will donate £2 from every bottomless brunch sold to the AKT Charity – helping young LGBTQ+ people in times of crisis and supporting access to education, employment, shelter and more.
Love Party at KAMPUS
Friday 27th August, 3pm
Love Party is the queer disco with a heart, taking place under the 1960s modernist pavilion at KAMPUS, with the Love Party Soundsystem DJs joined by KISS ME AGAIN and GOOD AFTERNOON, plus hosting and dancing from Joshua Hubbard and Yandrass (House of Decay). The party is free and unticketed.
Pride Disco Brunch at Ducie Street Warehouse
Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th August
It’s big, it’s bold and it’s back – the Ducie Street Warehouse Pride Disco Brunch brought to you by host Banksie and featuring a plethora of DJ sets and special performances. It’s bottomless too – you get one dish and endless booze for 90 minutes for £40 per person.
Come As You Are at The Refuge
Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th August
The Refuge’s legendary iconic celebration is back with a selection of free events across the Pride weekend. The Reflex will return to the decks for the first time in three years, and artists Supernature Disco, Sticky Heat, The Colonel and Steve Conry also join the sizeable line up. In true The Refuge style, queens Cheddar Gorgeous, Liquorice Black, Anna Phylactic and Narcissa Nightshade will be making a fabulous appearance to celebrate with fellow pride partygoers each day.
Homoelectric at Hidden
Saturday 27th August
Homoelectric’s August Bank Holiday Showdown at Hidden featuring Hannah Holland, Grace Sands, Joshua James, DJ Paulette, Jamie Bull, Gina Breeze, Kim Lana and Muddy Feet Edie.
Locke X Flash present The Unity Brunch
Saturday 27th August
Foundation Coffee House at Whitworth Locke will be hosting this bottomless brunch, in partnership with Flash and featuring legendary Flesh alumni Guy Williams, House of Ghetto, Jamie Bull & more. You choose a pastry, a brunch dish and get bottomless bevvies for £35 per person.
BENT – Queer Pride Party at The Derby Brewery Arms
Saturday 27th August
Wes Baggaley leads this queer lineup of diverse and talented artists. Expect high-energy track selections across the board with all profits to be donated in support of the LGBTQI+ community. The all-day Pride special will feature the one and only Wes Baggaley, plus local queer icons Kiss Me Again, some new talent, and some special guests.
Kiss Me Again Pride Party
Sunday 28th August
Taking over Soup on Sunday night is the Kiss Me Again team with an LGBTQ+ dance party, featuring Matthew Rothery, David KMA, Antoin KMA and a super special secret guest who they’ve not disclosed yet. Who will it be? You’re going to have to go and find out for yourself, aren’t you?
Supernature on Pride Sunday
Sunday 28th August
Join the Supernature resident DJs for a joyous and outrageous daytime party at Joshua Brooks bar terrace, with the wonderful Rois from the excellent What She Said Club, based at the Carlton Club on guest duties, and another super secret guest. Free entry.
Fatty Acid, LAD$ Collective and Pride Punx present QUEERCORE
Sunday 28th August
Fatty Acid and The Niallist present QUEERCORE – where workshop meets jam as part of Superbia over the Manchester Pride Festival. Head on down for a day of workshops, jamming and performance from the cream of various scenes, learn, scream and rejoice!
The Candlelit Vigil
Monday 29th August, 9pm
The Candlelit Vigil is the culmination of Manchester Pride, and each year it closes the four days of the festival with a moment of reflection in Sackville Gardens. Alongside George House Trust, the Vigil provides a space to remember those who have lost the battle with HIV and AIDS, and join together to fight the epidemic worldwide, and the stigma that still exists. The Candlelit Vigil is completely free to attend.
Queer Latifah Presents… In Queers We Trust
Monday 29th August
The Queer Latifah crew bring bank holiday weekend vibes to close out Pride weekend.
Residents DJ Mix-Stress & Deb Jump bring their usual sunshine energies alongside special guests Good Afternoon & Lady Beige.
An Evening with Torrey Peters & Imogen Binnie
Thursday 25th August, 7pm
Queer Lit are bringing together Torrey Peters, author of ‘Detransition, Baby’ and Imogen Binnie author of ‘Nevada’ for this evening in conversation at The Grand Hall in The Whitworth. Doors will open at 6pm and the event will start at 7pm sharp. Both titles will be available to buy on the night and be signed by Torrey Peters and Imogen Binnie.
Pride Weekend at The Pen & Pencil
Friday 26th – Sunday 28th August
The Pen & Pencil will be hosting another of their Pride Weekenders with DJs every day over three days. Friday will see Mark Webster on the decks, while Saturday sees Joey T and Danny Ward alongside their bottomless brunch. Finally, Midnight Riot! will be on until 1pm on Sunday night.
